What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the whirlwind of life - kids, errands, work and socializing with friends - things are lost. Sometimes it's the smallest things like keys.

For most vehicles keys, a new key can be made at the local hardware store, along with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost alternative.

Retract your Steps

There is nothing more painful than losing your sole car key and not being able get in your vehicle. You can be a victim of time, money and peace of mind. But the first thing you need to do when you've lost your only car key is to remain calm. Panicking will not help you locate your keys faster, and could even make the situation worse.

Try to remember the last time you seen them. It could be as simple as putting them in your pocket when you got out of the car to run an appointment, or they might be missing while taking groceries inside. You can find your keys by retracing your steps.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, you can try recording all the places you have been throughout the day. This will help you remember where you were and could give you a clue as to where your keys are. Make sure you check every location you recorded. Sometimes keys "drift" to the side, floor or under something, and you may be in a position to retrieve them exactly where you left them.

Check Inside Your Car

It wasn't that long ago that misplacing, or losing a car key was not a huge issue. In the past, most people kept a spare key in a small box attached to their car. Today, however, cars are getting more technologically advanced and that means the keys are more likely to be lost car keys with no spare. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can involve several steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, based on the type of car and year of the model. It is important to always have a spare car key in the event that you lose your original.

Take a deep breath before you start worrying about losing your car key. Try to stay calm. Once you've managed your emotions you can go through the steps to locate it. First, retrace your steps and consider when you last held the keys in your hand. It's common to juggle keys while you reach for something other, and they could end up on the car floor where you cannot be able to see them.

The next step is to thoroughly search your car, especially the areas where you typically put them. You may have accidentally knocked the items out of your bag or put them on your dashboard when you exited your car to go to the store.

Examine your purses, pockets and bags. You might forget to check your deep pockets, or large bags.

If you're still having trouble finding your keys, you need to contact a locksmith and ask for assistance. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith can typically make you an entirely new key on the spot. If you have a key with chip and is an older model, you'll have to contact the dealer to get a new one.

Check Your Hide Spots

It's easy to lose your keys when you're busy. If you were hurrying to leave or distracted by a sandwich while talking on the phone, or simply forgot them, it's easy to lose keys. It's good that most people keep a spare key in their office or home which they can quickly locate. If you have a spare key, it is essential to check all of the places you've previously kept the keys. This includes obvious places like a backpack or purse or a pocket on the sofa, a stack of mail on your table or a drawer on your dresser. If you have a friend with you and you want them to go through these same spots as well.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults that you could stick on your vehicle to store your spare keys. These are perfect to hide keys since they won't fall off when you drive over bumps, and will protect your key against the elements. Many of these storage devices also come with combination locks, which means that even if you give the key to a relative they aren't able to access it without you.

Another method of hiding keys is to buy a fake rock that has an enclosed compartment. This is a great option for outdoor areas. However, you should be aware of the fact that burglars often search for these items. If you decide to use this method, you can make use of a dark duct to make it harder for thieves to spot.

One final place to check is the hood of your vehicle. This is a great place to conceal a key for the gas cap if you have one. It won't be noticeable. Use a heavy-duty tape to keep the key from falling off or scratching the paint of your vehicle when you remove it.

There are ways to reduce the impact of i Lost my only car key car keys on your day-to-day life. By taking a few seconds to Retract Your Steps by scouring all of the most frequent hiding spots, and calling an expert locksmith in your area to locate your keys and avoid wasting any time or money.

Call for a locksmith

If you don't have a spare set of keys stashed in a safe place the best thing you can do if you've lost the only car key you have is to call locksmith. They'll be able to help you recover it quickly, and also be able advise you on how to avoid this from happening again. If you know someone who owns a key duplication shop for cars nearby, it's an alternative however, remember that these kinds of businesses often need to have the specific model, make and year of your vehicle to duplicate a key correctly.

If your car is a more recent model, or if it uses a smart key fob, you'll have to visit your dealer for a new replacement. It can be costly in particular when the dealer must order a new key for your vehicle. It could also take a few days or weeks.

A thing that many don't realize is that a professional locksmith will typically provide the same service as dealerships however at only a fraction of the cost. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith fees or towing in the case of a lost or stolen key, and some provide roadside assistance to send professionals to your location to help you get back in your car.

It is important to check the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to choosing the dealer. It is also important to notify the police as soon as you can. This helps to ensure that nobody else will have access to your car without permission, and it will also protect you in the event that you are ever victimized by a robber or attacked. By notifying your keys, you also inform police about anyone who is trying to use your vehicle illegally. In the worst case scenario you could be protected from criminal charges if someone tries to steal your vehicle. It is important to not panic if you have lost your only car keys. Try the above steps and, if necessary get a family member or friend family member to assist.